Kenai’s progress: I’ve paused in his progress reports because it’s become repetitive, in the sense that he’s not learning anything new, nor having any major shifts in obedience reliability. There’s a “hurry up and wait” sort of pace where there are times when lots of new commands and experiences are introduced, and times when nothing new really happens.
The first stage of his SD training was obedience, which he’s quite solid on now, though we struggle still with recall at home (grr). Other than that, Kenai is solid enough, and we are comfortable enough together to work well. We continue our outings, mostly as socialization and maintaining his obedience.
But, stage two is imminent: a mobility harness. He is almost old enough for a mobility harness, and that’s when a bunch of new commands will start. I believe we’ll have it by his 1 year birthday, (New Years day )or there abouts. Then he begins his balance tasks in earnest, as well as lightweight carrying tasks like grocery bags or water bottles.
Stage 3, weight bearing/bracing tasks, have to wait for adulthood when his body is done growing. That will be about 18 months to 2 years old. We have introduced the “motions” of bracing, ie he comes to stand in front of me when I get up from a chair and I put my hand on his shoulders, but I don’t place weight on him. We’ve got a year to wait for that.
Report for 42 weeks: We skipped last week’s command sheet because his health was not good–the pancreatic insufficiency. He’d lost weight and didn’t feel good. There weren’t many outings.
This week there were more outings, and guess who’s an adolescent a month early? He’s begun the marking attempts, and the humping attempts on occasion. Also, his excitement level is up–normal for this developmental stage. Teenagers are fired up and intense.
That darn field has added a new wrinkle to the “I won’t recall” troubles, though, as the teenager stuff started. Now he’s into the critter chase, tearing off into the woods and brush, not coming back. A big dog kennel for play before being loose is the plan, now.
Oh, and pardon the small type on the commands–wordpress is giving me trouble with pasting.
Command Practice Sheet 42 wks
1. sit-sluggish, but done 2. down-solid 3. stay-not solid, he wants to be close to me 4. come-awful 5. slow-solid 6. up-solid 7. stand-solid 8. wait-same as stay 9. on the bed-becoming habit when coming inside 10. off-not entirely solid, but good 11. leave it-solid 12. let go-solid 13. stop-solid 14. back-sluggish, but done 15. go left-solid 16. go right-solid 17. Kenai (pay attention)-not as sharp, but good 18. no feet-better, believe it or not 19. carry-no harness yet 20.brace-very good! 21. Pull-rarely used, not really taught yet and don’t pull-same
Report for 40 weeks: Kenai’s not had many outings this week, due to neither of us feeling good. But the week began with an actual fear reaction in the parking lot of the hardware store—the pain I believe made him feel vulnerable. The week ended with him going around the hardware store, then in it: he pulled without the gentle leader, but I stuck with it and we did okay. Not a shining success, but done without fearfulness.
He’s calmed and relaxed so much compared to a couple months ago. He’s growing up, my rhino baby. He’s near totally solid in public, the only ‘not perfect’ is being uncomfortable in some places. We haven’t tried reintroducing elevators yet; I’m thinking of asking the clicker training lady to help with that. Kenai’s settling into an excellent young man.
Command Practice Sheet 40 wks (10 mo)
1. sit—solid
2. down—solid
3. stay—improving sharpness, solid
4. come—still ignores outside, fine in public
5. slow—solid
6. up—solid
7. stand—solid
8. wait—improving sharpness, solid
9. on the bed—solid
10. off—sometimes needs chest tap
11. leave it—solid in public, awful in field
12. let go—solid
13. stop—solid
14. back—solid
15. go left—solid
16. go right—solid but swings wide at times
17. move foot—solid
18. Kenai (pay attention)—improved awareness
19. no feet—needs work
20.carry—not yet
21. brace—solid in motions, no weight
22. pull—solid when asked, no harness yet
23. and don’t pull—solid but no harness yet
Report for 39 weeks: Kenai has been less comfortable in public this week. I think it’s related to the pain in his hind legs: the more pain he has, the more whiney and timid he behaves. Some places he relaxes in, if they have been part of our routine for a long time. Other places he will whine some and not relax.
Since he’s not feeling good, I haven’t pushed: we go where he enjoys and we’ve been fortunate that there haven’t been many appointments or places he would have to be left in the car if he wouldn’t do well. I have always tried to arrange our outings so he has less chance of “setting” an unwanted association about a place. Once he sets a habit, it is very hard to change!
His only less than perfect commands this week are at home, though I look forward to his overall attitude relaxing when he feels better.
Command Practice Sheet 39 wks
1. sit–solid
2. down–solid
3. stay—public solid, home sloppy
4. come—public solid, home unreliable
5. slow—solid
6. up—solid
7. stand—solid
8. wait—public solid, home sloppy
9. on the bed—solid
10. off—confess to using treats alot
11. leave it—public solid, home good inside unreliable outside
12. let go—solid as always
13. stop—solid, often off leash
14. back—solid when heeling, fair otherwise: wants to crowd the door
15. go left—solid
16. go right—solid
17. move foot—solid
18. Kenai (pay attention)—solid but could improve in some situaitons
19. no feet—needs work
20.carry—so so, not a lot of working on it yet
21. brace—solid but done without weight
22. pull—solid
23. don’t pull—solid believe it or not
Kenai in his vest, 38 weeks
Report for 38 weeks old: Kenai did remarkably well on all his outings this week, being very relaxed and easy going. A couple times I didn’t use the gentle leader at all, and he was fine. His command sheet is a total repeat of last weeks, totally solid in public!
Command Practice Sheet for 38 wks old
1. sit—solid. Don’t ask often, but is done more readily
2. down—solid. Staying down in the car suddenly seems to be a problem. Huh?
3. Stay—solid. An hour reliably without ups or whines, good days over an hour.
4. come heel—solid on leash, does automatically when I start walking.
5. Slow—solid
6. Up—solid
7. Stand—solid
8. Wait—solid
9. on the bed—does it, doesn’t like it though.
10. Off—could be better, but I’m not working on it much
11. leave it—solid everywhere except the field
12. recall—awful in the field, needs work
13. let go—solid
14. stop—solid
15. back—solid, often needs leash reminder though
16. go left—solid, does it even before I move now
17. go right—solid as his left
18. move foot—solid
19. Kenai (attention)—much better, more relaxed and aware
20.no feet—needs work
21. carry—not showing interest again.
22. Brace—will sometimes get into position before I ask!
9/23/08 Kenai is 38 weeks old, and I finally have a camera!
Report for 37 weeks old: Kenai continues to work extremely well in public, beginning to heel hands free both with the gentle leader and without it! What a thrill that is: the hard work is paying off. He seems to need an easy stop first to find his groove, but considering he’s just 9 months old, that’s just fine.
He’s so gentle and unobtrusive in public, at least on his end. He continues to draw admirers, sometimes so many I worry about it. But he’s hard to ignore. As for his command sheet, look at all that grey!! The only things to work on are out in that field. I’m not too concerned with carry, because I’ll just hang bags over the harness handle. I carry bags right next to him often and he doesn’t care.
Command Practice Sheet for 37 wks old
1. sit—solid. Don’t ask often, but is done more readily
2. down—solid. Staying down in the car suddenly seems to be a problem. Huh?
3. Stay—solid. An hour reliably without ups or whines, good days over an hour.
4. come heel—solid on leash, does automatically when I start walking.
5. Slow—solid
6. Up—solid
7. Stand—solid
8. Wait—solid
9. on the bed—does it, doesn’t like it though.
10. Off—could be better, but I’m not working on it much
11. leave it—solid everywhere except the field
12. recall—awful in the field, needs work
13. let go—solid
14. stop—solid
15. back—solid, often needs leash reminder though
16. go left—solid, does it even before I move now
17. go right—solid as his left
18. move foot—solid
19. Kenai (attention)—much better, more relaxed and aware
20.no feet—needs work
21. carry—not showing interest again.
22. Brace—will sometimes get into position before I ask!
Report for 36 weeks old: Kenai has returned to his normal self, with increased exercise and reducing his exposure to stressful environments at home. His outings got off to a rough start after the week off, but he suddenly hit his stride on the third one and did wonderfully from then on. So well in fact that I trusted him to walk a buffet line for the first time.
He’s gotten whiney and unsettled with my chest cold the past coupld days, it causes him to want to alert continually. That will improve as he matures and it disturbs him less. This is his first big “mom” cold. You can see the big improvement in commands that are solid.
Command Practice Sheet for 36 wks (9 mo)
1. sit—solid, though he wants to swing the butt when not comfortable
2. down—solid, oftentimes with only a hand signal
3. stay—very good in public, 1 hour plus. Not so sharp at home, okay.
4. come heel—very good in public, leaves heel position when standing still.
5. Recall—whistling and playing a game is okay, but as a command, no dice.
6. Slow—solid, don’t always have to say it
7. Up—solid
8. Stand—solid
9. Wait—anticipates but solid
10. on the bed—goes with some leading
11. off—better, less stubborn
12. leave it—great in public, the field is not so good
13. let go—solid as always
14. stop—solid, don’t always have to say it
15. back—solid
16. go left—solid
17. go right—solid
18. move foot—solid, I touch the leg I want moved
19. Kenai (pay attention)—excellent in public, improved at home
20.no feet—working on it
21. carry—not working on it yet.
22. Brace—solid, though no weight used.
23. Pull—waiting for the harness
8/9/08 Kenai is 36 wks old, exactly 9 months. Sorry no new pic, still lacking a camera. Soon! This pic is from 30 wks old, and is a perfect depiction of his mental state this week–icky.
Report for 35 wks old: Kenai’s had a hard week. Some of his outings were sensational, but some were not. He was returned to the car for the first time in 2 solid months Friday. He’s having a very hard time handling all the madness at home, and there’s been “outbursts” of uncontrolled behavior at home until I shut it down. Still, he’s settled his hormone hash, and there’s been lots of improvement in his commands.
He’s been showing signs of distress, so I’m making some changes: 2 a day outside runs are mandatory, regardless of what is going on. Also regardless of what is going on, when he is getting restless while we watch and help BB stay calmer, we go somewhere else–no more making him eat his stress. He has to be my priority, not just getting my leftovers. Let the house fall apart, Kenai comes first with me from now on.
Command Practice Sheet for 35 wks old
1. Sit—solid with and without hand signals
2. Down—solid with and without hand signals
3. Stay—solid in public, good but needs work at home, with or without hand signals.
4. come heel—solid as part of walking, haven’t worked it otherwise
5. slow—fantastic, with and without saying it
6. up—solid in public, though rarely used.
7. Stand—solid, and he is holding still while I stand with my hand on shoulders.
8. Wait—solid in public, though he anticipates. Can see him control it!
9. on the bed—solid, but not enjoyed.
10. Off—better across the board, needs a treat to lure about 20% of time.
11. leave it—solid in public, better at home/field, want improvement.
12. let go—solid as always, thank ya buddy.
13. Stop—solid
14. Back—almost solid, needs insistence at times though.
15. go left—solid
16. go right—solid
17. move foot—solid if touched
18. Kenai (pay attention)—better, from some insecurity.
19. no feet—grrr
20.tuck (his tail)—rarely used, so I do it myself
21. and carry—he’s still wanting to take things in mouth, though doesn’t carry them.
22. Brace—holds still while I get up and down. Solid for what he can do now.
23. Pull—don’t use this yet
24.and don’t pull—without gentle leader, used often.
25. come–infernally hard headed at home, comes easily in public.
9/2/08 Kenai is 35 weeks old (pic is 32 wks)
Kenai’s 34 week old progress report: The ferocious hormone surge seems to have subsided, or at least was subdued by corrections and stress. (BB had a run to the e-vet, and Kenai came unglued). He’s had outings on 2 days only, but they were long ones, with several stops. Hopefully I’ll get my camera and some new pics before the next report!
I’ve started greying out what is solid so I can easily see what commands need work now or in the future. As good as his stay is now, I’m leaving it darkened because it will have to continue improving as he ages. I’m quite happy with him in public, though I wish I could start getting better behavior without the gentle leader.
I just bet it’s a dominance issue that he just doesn’t want to mind without the GL reminding him to be a follower of me instead of the other way around. That may be an ongoing struggle for awhile, at least until he’s grown and I can safely neuter him. Testosterone is a potent thing. Lord but he has a strong personality.
Come mid October when my brother is gone, I really hope he settles down without the tension and unstable situations. That would be good.
Command Practice Sheet for 34 weeks
1. sit–solid, with hand signals too
2. down–more stubborn about this at home, but good in public.
3. stay–excellent in public! He holds a down stay about an hour.
not good at home, since he doesn’t me out of his sight.
4. come heel–not good off leash, but heels up on leash well.
5. slow–solid.
6. up–solid
7. stand–solid
8. wait–still anticipates forward movement. Kinda sloppy on this.
9. on the bed–doesn’t go towards it without some leading
10. off–more stubborn this week.
11. leave it–okay, but I have to insist more often.
12. let go–solid
13. stop–solid
14. back–okay, but I have to insist and usually touch again.
15. go left–solid
16. go right–solid
17. move foot–solid
18. Kenai (pay attention)–still more concerned with environment
19. no feet–awful still. Grr. Need a plan…
20.tuck (his tail)–rarely needs this
21. carry–he carried my purse a short ways! Doesn’t mind bags by his
shoulders at all. I’ll attach them to his harness to carry.
22. brace–we’re not really working on this yet.
23. pull–not used yet
24.don’t pull–used alot on leash. He’s a puller right now darn it.
9
8/25/08 Kenai’s 34 weeks old
33 Week old progress report.
It’s been a rough week for the two of us, as the belligerent phase got up in full swing. He started jumping on me, swatting, and being very rough with his play. So I’ve been doing alot of correcting.
He’s done surprisingly well in the few outings we’ve had. Overall he’s improved his public manners! The ones at home are getting straightened out.
With the madness in our home right now, Kenai is still a good boy despite the overexcited/dominant outbursts. His alert to anxiety is slightly overused, poor kid! He gets whiney and more attentive to our surroundings, and tries to walk ahead of me. Then I know I need to check my tension level.
Also he is alerting to Mom’s asthma! He starts looking at her, obviously listening to her breathing. If he can go to her, he does. With the humid weather, he’s getting lots of practice!
Command Practice Sheet age 33 wks (19-Aug-08)
1. sit—does with words or hand signals. More enthusiastic with a treat.
2. Down—does in public more easily, and can use only hand signals again.
3. Stay—holding for 30-45 minutes without a pop up, if he’s tired.
4. come heel—mediocre but he does it automatically if I’m walking away.
5. Slow—he’s had a week of wanting to pull, but follows the command.
6. Up–solid
7. Stand–solid
8. Wait—much better after practicing it. Won’t freeze, but he doesn’t wander off.
9. on the bed—once or twice he did it without even a hand leading!
10. Off—perfect if he’s trying to keep me from taking a bully stick away!
11. leave it—okay in public, but the field isn’t so good.
12. let go—slower to obey, but still solid.
13. Stop—very good, with occasional one step ahead thing.
14. Back—touch needed is lighter, sometimes not needed.
15. go left—solid
16. go right—solid
17. move foot—solid
18. Kenai (pay attention)—better in public: looks at name 40%
19. no feet—not much progress, but continuing
20.tuck (his tail)—I just do it myself
21. and carry—he carried my purse when I hung it around his neck!
22. Brace—learning the procedure
23. Pull—solid and eager…ugh
24.and don’t pull—not as solid. Does better with slow.
